Changes

'''Intercession''' (from Latin ''intercessio'', intercede) is entreaty in favor of another, the act or instance of interceding, an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person. In Roman history intercession was the interposing of a veto by a tribune or other magistrate, as an intervention in a matter of law. One who [[intercede]]s with intercession is an intercessor.

'''Intercession''' (from Latin ''intercessio'', intercede) is entreaty in favor of another, the act or instance of interceding, an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person. In Roman history intercession was the interposing of a veto by a tribune or other magistrate, as an intervention in a matter of law. One who [[intercede]]s with intercession is an intercessor.

In ecclesiastical terms, intercession (verb) is the act of interceding or offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others, and an intercession (noun) is such a petitionary prayer, also called intercessory prayer. In the Bible St. Paul says{{cquote|I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, ''and'' giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and ''for'' all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this ''is'' good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. <br>(1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV <ref>See also Jeremiah 7:16; 36:25; Romans 8:26-27; 11:2</ref>)}}

In ecclesiastical terms, intercession (verb) is the act of interceding or offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others, and an intercession (noun) is such a petitionary prayer, also called intercessory prayer. In the Bible St. Paul says{{cquote|I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, ''and'' giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and ''for'' all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this ''is'' good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. <br>(1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV <ref>See also Jeremiah 7:16; 36:25; Romans 8:26-27; 11:2</ref>)}}

Intercession is frequently confused with '''[[mediation]]''' in a dispute, and the two terms are often erroneously regarded as [[synonym]]s. St. Paul says in the same place{{cquote|For ''there is'' one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. <br>(1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV <ref>See also Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34 Galatians 3:19-20; Hebrews 7:25; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24</ref>)}} [[Protestant]] [[Christian]]s, [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelicals]], [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]] and others object to the [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox]] doctrine of the '''[[intercession of the saints]]''' because they take intercession to be the same as mediation.

St. Paul says in the same place{{cquote|For ''there is'' one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. <br>(1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV <ref>See also Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34 Galatians 3:19-20; Hebrews 7:25; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24</ref>)}} [[Protestant]] [[Christian]]s, [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelicals]], [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]] and others object to the [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox]] doctrine of the '''[[intercession of the saints]]''' because they take intercession to be the same as mediation.

==Catholic and Protestant controversy over intercession and mediation==

==Catholic and Protestant controversy over intercession and mediation==

:In the civil sphere of human activity the Reformers also objected to the distance that [[Monarchy|autocratic]] rulers maintained between themselves and their subjects by the bureaucratic structure of levels of administrators and ministers, governors and officials, officers and clerks, who were often perceived as interfering and obstructing the petitions of the people and as refusing to reasonably submit them to the ruler.

:In the civil sphere of human activity the Reformers also objected to the distance that [[Monarchy|autocratic]] rulers maintained between themselves and their subjects by the bureaucratic structure of levels of administrators and ministers, governors and officials, officers and clerks, who were often perceived as interfering and obstructing the petitions of the people and as refusing to reasonably submit them to the ruler.

:However, many regarded the Protestant interpretation of scripture in support of the dignity of individual human autonomy under Christ before God's Throne as an expression of [[Anarchism|philosophical anarchy]], and as subversively dangerous to the stability of Christian society; and also as being at its core strongly opposed to the virtue of [[humility]] (Romans 13:1-7). See [[Individualism]]. The Reformers were regarded as confusing "''arrogance''" and "''insulting effrontery''" with godly "''confidence''"; and as confusing defiantly arrogant behavior on behalf of the Gospel as confident assurance in the face of ungodly opposition ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/3-13.htm Acts 4:13]). The Catholic [http://reign.wikia.com/wiki/Charles_V,_Holy_Roman_Emperor Holy Roman Emperor Charles V] saw the Reformation movement as subversive to his reign, disruptive of moral, social and civil order, and an attack on Christianity through rejection of the established authority of the Catholic Church, and on this basis persecuted Protestants as fomenters of [[Revolution|insurrection]] and as anarchists.  

:However, many regarded the Protestant interpretation of scripture in support of the dignity of individual human autonomy under Christ before God's Throne as an expression of [[Anarchism|philosophical anarchy]], and as subversively dangerous to the stability of Christian society; and also as being at its core strongly opposed to the virtue of [[humility]] (Romans 13:1-7). See [[Individualism]]. The Reformers were regarded as confusing "''arrogance''" and "''insulting effrontery''" with godly "''[[confidence]]''"; and as confusing defiantly arrogant behavior on behalf of the Gospel as confident assurance in the face of ungodly opposition ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/3-13.htm Acts 4:13]). The Catholic [http://reign.wikia.com/wiki/Charles_V,_Holy_Roman_Emperor Holy Roman Emperor Charles V] saw the Reformation movement as subversive to his reign, disruptive of moral, social and civil order, and an attack on Christianity through rejection of the established authority of the Catholic Church, and on this basis persecuted Protestants as fomenters of [[Revolution|insurrection]] and as anarchists.  

:Anarchy as a political philosophy is based on the individualist position that '''''no''''' human authority over individuals is '''''ever''''' legitimate and must be either passively disregarded (ignored, the KJV "''despised''") or actively resisted and overthrown: thus no visible ruling authority or government on earth has been authorized or established by God. The Reformers saw proof of this in the suppression of the Reformation by Sovereigns, Popes and Patriarchs, who saw the leaders of the Reformation as rebelliously resisting what God has appointed (Romans 13:1-4). The Reformation saw the established authorities of Church and State in their day as entrenched and stubborn ungodly evils to be rejected and finally eliminated before the Kingdom of God could be established on earth. They represented the corruption and abuse of authority by particular self-serving leaders in the Church in violation of the [[doctrine]] of the Church as evident proof that the whole of the doctrine of the Church itself was corrupted by the Devil. By the same reasoning the treachery and person of Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, is totally representative of the spiritual and moral content of Christ's teaching, because he was an Apostle! see [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/12-6.htm John 12:6]. The Reformers condemned those who said the emperor, the pope and the Church should be obeyed in accordance with what Paul had written in Romans 13:1-4. However, the Prophet [[Jeremiah]] was condemned by Judean false prophets and influential politicians as a traitor for declaring God's command to submit to the ungodly pagan rule of [[Nebuchadnezzar]] of [[Babylonian Empire|Babylon]] ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/11-21.htm Jeremiah 11:21][http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/29-27.htm Jeremiah 29:27] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/38-4.htm Jeremiah 38:4]).  

:Anarchy as a political philosophy is based on the individualist position that '''''no''''' human authority over individuals is '''''ever''''' legitimate and must be either passively disregarded (ignored, the KJV "''despised''") or actively resisted and overthrown: thus no visible ruling authority or government on earth has been authorized or established by God. The Reformers saw proof of this in the suppression of the Reformation by Sovereigns, Popes and Patriarchs, who saw the leaders of the Reformation as rebelliously resisting what God has appointed (Romans 13:1-4). The Reformation saw the established authorities of Church and State in their day as entrenched and stubborn ungodly evils to be rejected and finally eliminated before the Kingdom of God could be established on earth. They represented the corruption and abuse of authority by particular self-serving leaders in the Church in violation of the [[doctrine]] of the Church as evident proof that the whole of the doctrine of the Church itself was corrupted by the Devil. By the same reasoning the treachery and person of Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, is totally representative of the spiritual and moral content of Christ's teaching, because he was an Apostle! see [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/12-6.htm John 12:6]. The Reformers condemned those who said the emperor, the pope and the Church should be obeyed in accordance with what Paul had written in Romans 13:1-4. However, the Prophet [[Jeremiah]] was condemned by Judean false prophets and influential politicians as a traitor for declaring God's command to submit to the ungodly pagan rule of [[Nebuchadnezzar]] of [[Babylonian Empire|Babylon]] ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/11-21.htm Jeremiah 11:21][http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/29-27.htm Jeremiah 29:27] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/38-4.htm Jeremiah 38:4]).  

:During the original [[Communist Revolution]] in the early 20th century, revolutionary elements were called [[Anarchist]]s. The anarchist position is represented today in the United States by the [[Libertarian|Libertarian Party]] whose members use much milder methods of political persuasion, and in every election for president the Libertarian Party presents a Libertarian candidate.  

:During the original [[Communist Revolution]] in the early 20th century, revolutionary elements were called [[Anarchist]]s. The anarchist position is represented today in the United States by the [[Libertarian|Libertarian Party]] whose members use much milder methods of political persuasion, and in every election for president the Libertarian Party presents a Libertarian candidate.  

:Jesus told his followers to obey those corrupt leaders of the Jewish faith who represented Moses, but not to do what they do. ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/23-2.htm Matthew 23:2-3]). As applied in principle to the leadership of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century, the Protestant Reformers in '''[[conscience]]''' and in full accordance with their interpretation of the Bible found this obedience impossible, because of what they saw as irreparable evils and pagan influences entrenched within the doctrines of Catholicism. The command of Paul in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1-4&version=RSVCE Romans 13:1-4] and of Peter in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A13-17&version=RSVCE 1 Peter 2:13-17] and of [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A17&version=RSVCE Hebrews 13:17] when applied with regard to the established authority of the Holy Roman Emperor, of the Pope and of the Catholic Sovereigns of Europe, was for the Reformers equally abhorrent and impossible in conscience for them to obey, '''''even if it was in the Bible'''''. They had reached the conclusion that the Holy Spirit was '''''not''''' guiding the Catholic Church into all truth, but had departed from her, and that Jesus Himself had '''''not''''' remained with her, but that '''[[Satan]]''' was ruling the Church instead. This is also the fundamental claim of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]]. On this basis many Orthodox and Catholic Christians depart and join Protestant churches and the Latter-Day Saints.

:Jesus told his followers to obey those corrupt leaders of the Jewish faith who represented Moses, but not to do what they do. ([http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/23-2.htm Matthew 23:2-3]). As applied in principle to the leadership of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century, the Protestant Reformers in '''[[conscience]]''' and in full accordance with their interpretation of the Bible found this obedience impossible, because of what they saw as irreparable evils and pagan influences entrenched within the doctrines of Catholicism. The command of Paul in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+13%3A1-4&version=RSVCE Romans 13:1-4] and of Peter in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A13-17&version=RSVCE 1 Peter 2:13-17] and of [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A17&version=RSVCE Hebrews 13:17] when applied with regard to the established authority of the Holy Roman Emperor, of the Pope and of the Catholic Sovereigns of Europe, was for the Reformers equally abhorrent and impossible in conscience for them to obey, '''''even if it was in the Bible'''''. They had reached the conclusion that the Holy Spirit was '''''not''''' guiding the Catholic Church into all truth, but had departed from her, and that Jesus Himself had '''''not''''' remained with her, but that '''[[Satan]]''' was ruling the Church instead. This is also the fundamental claim of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]]. On this basis many Orthodox and Catholic Christians depart and join Protestant churches and the Latter-Day Saints.

:Catholic and Orthodox [[Apologetics|apologists]] respond that this implies that Jesus broke his promises in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-17&version=RSVCE John 14:15-17], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A25-26&version=RSVCE 25-26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A26&version=RSVCE 15:26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A12-13&version=RSVCE 16:12-13]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A9-11&version=RSVCE 17:9-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A18-19&version=RSVCE Matthew 16:18-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A19-20&version=RSVCE 28:19-20]; and they point to Jesus' word about the church in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A17-20&version=RSVCE Matthew 18:17-20] as being always true and reliable, and to the fact that Paul testified to Timothy that the Church is the "''pillar and ground of truth''" and to the Ephesians that the wisdom of God is revealed even to the powers in heaven through the Church ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3%3A15&version=RSVCE 1 Timothy 3:15] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A10&version=RSVCE Ephesians 3:10]). On this basis many Protestant Christians depart from their churches and become Catholic and Orthodox.  

:Catholic and Orthodox [[Apologetics|apologists]] respond that this implies that Jesus broke his promises in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-17&version=RSVCE John 14:15-17], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A25-26&version=RSVCE 25-26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A26&version=RSVCE 15:26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A12-13&version=RSVCE 16:12-13]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A9-11&version=RSVCE 17:9-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A18-19&version=RSVCE Matthew 16:18-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A19-20&version=RSVCE 28:19-20]; and they point to Jesus' word about the church in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A17-20&version=RSVCE Matthew 18:17-20] as being always true and reliable, and to the fact that Paul testified to Timothy that the Church is the "''pillar and ground of truth''" and to the Ephesians that the wisdom of God is revealed even to the powers in heaven through the Church ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3%3A15&version=RSVCE 1 Timothy 3:15] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A10&version=RSVCE Ephesians 3:10]). On this basis many Protestant Christians depart from their churches and become Catholic and Orthodox.  

:See the [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_peter/1-15.htm Interlinear Bible link]. <br>Compare multiple versions of [http://biblehub.com/multi/2_peter/1-15.htm 2 Peter 1:15] and multiple [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_peter/1-15.htm commentaries].<br>The Greek grammar favors the first reading, which supports the interpretation that Peter's stated intention is to assist them from heaven even after he dies. This is also the Orthodox and Catholic doctrine. The words ΔῈ ΚΑΊ following on ΣΠΟΥΔΆΣΩ seem to imply that the author would do something else besides the ὙΠΟΜΙΜΝΉΣΚΕΙΝ, whereby his readers after his death would be put in a position to remember what he now writes to them and all he taught. (Compare Jesus' words in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A25-26&version=RSVCE John 14:25-26].)<br>Other interpreters see some ambiguous evidence of possible grammatical latitude in the Greek structure of the sentence which allows the second reading. Such a reading by not referring to what Peter will do "''after my departure''" supports the Protestant doctrine that denies the traditional Catholic and Orthodox teaching about the intercession of the saints. The doctrine of the active intercessory ministry of the saints in heaven is dismissed by [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelical]] theology as being a corrupt compromise with [[Superstition|superstitious]] [[Paganism|pagan]] [[polytheism]], and a [[blasphemy|blasphemous denial]] of the [[mediation]] of the One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_timothy/2-5.htm 1 Timothy 2:5].

:See the [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_peter/1-15.htm Interlinear Bible link]. <br>Compare multiple versions of [http://biblehub.com/multi/2_peter/1-15.htm 2 Peter 1:15] and multiple [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_peter/1-15.htm commentaries].<br>The Greek grammar favors the first reading, which supports the interpretation that Peter's stated intention is to assist them from heaven even after he dies. This is also the Orthodox and Catholic doctrine. The words ΔῈ ΚΑΊ following on ΣΠΟΥΔΆΣΩ seem to imply that the author would do something else besides the ὙΠΟΜΙΜΝΉΣΚΕΙΝ, whereby his readers after his death would be put in a position to remember what he now writes to them and all he taught. (Compare Jesus' words in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A25-26&version=RSVCE John 14:25-26].)<br>Other interpreters see some ambiguous evidence of possible grammatical latitude in the Greek structure of the sentence which allows the second reading. Such a reading by not referring to what Peter will do "''after my departure''" supports the Protestant doctrine that denies the traditional Catholic and Orthodox teaching about the intercession of the saints. The doctrine of the active intercessory ministry of the saints in heaven is dismissed by [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelical]] theology as being a corrupt compromise with [[Superstition|superstitious]] [[Paganism|pagan]] [[polytheism]], and a [[blasphemy|blasphemous denial]] of the [[mediation]] of the One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_timothy/2-5.htm 1 Timothy 2:5].

==References==

==References==